The unmentioned reality of PND and PNA..

allmyloveBec
May 7, 2019
3 min read

For those of you who have been following my journey for a little while, you will know that my experiences with mumlife have NOT always been the most pleasant. After having Xavier I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety. This was for me something I never thought would happen to me. I thought it only happened to people who didn’t love their babies.. boy was I an asshole for thinking that!

This blog is because when I realised something was wrong.. it was majorly affecting my life. My relationship was strained with Sean, my parenting was lazy and disengaged, my work was suffering as I simply couldn’t concentrate and my health was declining as I could go days without eating. PND/A can affect both men and women. It can affect the mum you see at the park who seems to have it ALL together, or the mum hiding at home as she doesn’t want the world to see her.

So many people when they suspect PND or PNA, do not know where to get help. When I felt like I was stuck I had no idea what to do, who to tell. I struggled through it until the cracks began to show.

This is why I ask you today.. if YOU had a feeling something was going on with you or your partner and the possibility of PND or PNA, do you know where to go to get help?

Now for those of you who can confidently say YES! I applaud you for being prepared for anything and being able to arm yourself with the knowledge to help yourself and others.

However those of you who have said NO. I want to leave a few links and hotline numbers below for you in case you or anyone you know may need them. These will be at the very end.

This last month I have felt myself withdrawing from my partner more and more every single day. I have felt my anxiety fly through the roof at the drop of a hat. The feeling of hopelessness had returned and so last Friday I broke my silence to my partner, my family and also my Instagram, that I was NOT ok.

Since admitting out loud that I have been struggling I have gotten to speak to someone about what is going on, embraced professional help as well as the help of family and friends.

Whilst I’m not going to sugar coat it and say I’m 100% better already, I am getting through it with the support of many.. and you can get through it as well.

If you think you are concerned about yourself, your partner or a friend.. do you know the signs you need to be looking for? Some signs of PND can include:

- having a very low mood

- feeling inadequate and a failure as a mother

- having a sense of hopelessness about the future

- feeling exhausted, empty, sad and teary

- feeling guilty, ashamed or worthless

- feeling anxious or panicky

- having trouble sleeping, sleep for too long or have nightmares

- worrying excessively about their baby

- feeling scared of being alone or going out

Those are just some warning signs to look out for, just reading those signs now and thinking of how I was after Xavier.. the red flags were EVERYWHERE for me.

If I know you, or even if I do not.. my inbox is always open, my phone is always on. I’m always here as a safe place to vent your worries and concerns. As it will get better, that I can promise you.

Now I’m not going to ramble on and on. This is just something I had to get out there before I can resume my normal blogging.

Until next time,

OnePlusOneEqualsFour

For PND and PNA support in Australia you can visit -

https://www.panda.org.au

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au

You can also call -

PANDA’s National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline 1300 726 306 9am – 7.30pm Mon – Fri (AEST/AEDT)

Pregnancy, birth and baby

1800 882 436 Between 7am and Midnight

Beyond blue